"I am much obliged to him, but he might mind his own business."
"He was minding it in a sense," he replied with a grin. "I had promised to introduce him to your sister. He knows, you know"; and he grinned meaningly.
"A pity you were not there earlier then," I said carelessly, repressing a smile at what would have been the result if he had been.
"I shall bring him some day to introduce him," he declared as we shook hands.
"By all means. He is a good fellow. But not until I get back to Berlin."
"He is awfully keen to know her--now"; and with this somewhat cryptic remark he grinned again and turned away.
I went upstairs wondering curiously whether Dormund had said anything else about the "Bessie" he had seen at the station to start von Bernhoff's suspicions. The complications were beginning already.
But Althea and Bessie appeared to be taking the matter lightly, for a burst of merry laughter from them both rang out as I opened the door.
"Paul of the grave face!" cried Bessie. "Look at him, Althea."
Althea's eyes were shining brightly, and the colour had returned to her cheeks, as I saw when she looked up at my entrance.